Sentencing Reform Working Group

Course Description:In this course, students will be part of a policy team, which will work to study and propose sentencing reforms here in the state of Arizona. Students will attend a number of class sessions, in which we will discuss a number of legal and policy issues tied to sentencing reform. Students will also conduct substantial independent research and communicate that research to the rest of the team in written and oral forms. The team will also meet with policymakers and sentencing stakeholders. Ultimately, the purpose of the team is to produce a comprehensive report on sentencing reform and to propose specific reforms, likely in the form of proposed legislation.

This course is limited to third year students. Students must apply for admission to the course. The application should take the form of a one page personal statement, submitted to the registrar’s office, which describes the student’s interest in sentencing reform and lists all of their criminal justice experience, including any relevant courses they have taken. While there are no pre-requisites for the course, students are strongly encouraged to take (or have taken) the Criminal Sentencing Seminar, Criminal Procedure, and a course on administrative law. Students are asked to refrain from providing any information about the grades they have received in law school.

Students will receive a numerical grade for this course. There is no pass/fail option. Grades will be based on the students’ written research, their participation in class and policy sessions, and their contribution to the final report. The attendance policy will be enforced